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Encouragement 07-23-04

Leaving an Eternal Legacy, Part 2
Melissa Taylor, Member of the Proverbs 31 Speaker Team

Key Verse:

Therefore, each generation can set its hope anew on God, remembering His glorious miracles and obeying His commands. Psalm 78:7 NLT

Devotion:

Have you ever thought about the kind of legacy you will leave behind? Yesterday, I shared how my nine year old son, Blake, is making a difference in his sphere of influence for eternity. It is no accident that Blake, his brothers and sister are learning to believe in God's powerful and amazing love. It didn't just happen by chance. No, my husband and I have been intentional about the way we raise our children and the way we live our lives.

It was three years ago when I first thought about how I could leave an eternal legacy. A friend of mine shared Psalm 78:4-8 with me, which says that we should tell the next generation all about the Lord and His power and His mighty miracles. Why? So that the next generation would know them, even the children not yet born, and then they would tell their children! Wow! Do you see how the legacy lives on when we share what we know to be true? Psalm 78:7 says the reason for passing on this information is "so each generation can set its hope anew on God". You probably have learned, as I have, that setting our hope in anything else will indeed let us down.

God used His Word to speak to me personally that day. I have four children. I have a passion deep in my heart where they are concerned. It is for them to know Jesus personally as their Lord and Savior. You see, I know that if they set their hope in anything else, they will be disappointed. I know this world is tough. I want them to know there is much more to life when we live it for Him. There is eternal life through Jesus Christ. The passage from Psalm 78 says it is my responsibility to help my children obey God and set their hope in Him. It caused me to ask myself, "What am I doing to pass this truth on to my children?" "How am I impacting my sphere of influence...friends, neighbors, other children in my life, at the gym, in my community?"

In Deuteronomy 6:5-9, we are told to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, and might. It goes on to say that parents are to teach God's commandments to our children. In fact, the KJV says to "teach them diligently". The NLT translates it as "repeat them again and again". This is only done through living an authentic life with intention and purpose. The way you live your life, your actions, and the words you speak, can indeed impact eternity.

How can you leave an eternal legacy?

By living for Christ. Pursue an ongoing and personal relationship with Him.

By the investments you make. First, in the Word of God. Remember one of our power verses from yesterday: "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8

Second, invest in people. Are you making an investment in the lives of others?

Do you know that God made you for a purpose? He has a purpose and plan for your life. (Jeremiah 29:11) He loves you so much and He has a reason for everything you've ever been through. He can use it all to fulfill His purpose for your life. Through your life, you can leave an eternal legacy.

Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me, you can do nothing. (John 15:5) Another verse which points us to Christ is Philippians 4:13, which says, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." So ask yourself, "If apart from Jesus, I can do nothing and with Him I can do all things...where do I want to be?" I can't speak for you, but I want to be with Him. It is with Him that I am able to be intentional about leaving an eternal legacy.

It is my prayer that you will know God and His Word personally. Through your life and relationships, you can pass on an eternal legacy that will indeed last forever. "So each generation can set its hope anew on God."

My prayer for today:

Lord, help me to live each day intentionally focusing on You. As my Helper and Friend, help me cultivate relationships in my life where I am making a difference for eternity. I pray that others may come to know You through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Application Steps:

Look at your Daytimer or calendar. Examine your walk and your talk. Do they match? Read God's Word. Hide it in your heart so you will authentically live a life of purpose and passion for the Lord.

Reflection Points:

Do I respect my husband, pray for him, and love him the way God wants me to?

Am I praying with and for my children?

Do I support and encourage those in my life?

What exactly am I doing to leave an eternal legacy?

Power Verses:

Psalm 16:11, You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand. NIV

Psalm 119:11, I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. NLT

Deuteronomy 6:6-7, And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you're away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again. NLT

Philippians 4:13, I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. NIV